Gender is the primary organizing category that individuals utilize in society today. However, because of the prevalence of normative masculine and feminine gender expression, these expression have become problematically linked with biological narratives. Transgender individuals highlight that there is more natural variability in preference for gender expression than is currently normalized within society. This talk will highlight the experiences of transgender individuals as a way to shed light on a pressing topic which requires a greater amount of attention - the need for greater freedom of gender expression - and will provide guidelines for how to become a true transgender ally.
Dr. Katina Sawyer is an Assistant Professor of Psychology, within the Graduate Programs in Human Resource Development at Villanova University. She holds a dual-PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Women’s Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Sawyer has published and presented her research on diversity in the workplace, as well as negative workplace behaviors, in many peer-reviewed outlets and at conferences internationally. She spends much of her time volunteering, by advocating for LGBT rights, educating inner city youth, providing career coaching to women in crisis, and working with and advocating for the rights of victims of human trafficking.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx